Fluid-metering system.



G. G. EARL & A. B. WOOD.

num METEMNG SYSTEM.

APPLICATGN E|.LU1.1ULY 12.1911.

L1 @,M., Paten 53.1.9,1917.

G. G. EARL & A. B. WOOD.

-FLUID yMETERING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION F|LED.JULY l 2|19|l.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

vFig- Z l L it Patented J an. 9, 1917.

GEORGE GQQIELL ERL AND m3533125? BLD'WIN W90?, GT? NEW RLEAHS, LGUISANA.

FT'L'UIDVIETEEING SYSTEM.

Explication fled 511151 T0 @ZZ whom t may concern Be it known that we, Gnome G. EARL and. ininrr B. Aiifoon, both citizens of the Unite-d States, both residing' at lieu* rleans, in the parish of Orleans and Siate oilI Louisiana, have invented cer'cain new and useful linproven'ients in Fliii -l-iieering Sysems; and we do herein declare the following t0 be a full'.` clear, and exact description or'l our n vention7 such as will enable others skilled in the arito which il apperl'lains 'to make and use the saine,

Une of the chjecis 'of our ii'ivention is the production of nieclninisiu ior che accurate measurement of he lion' of fluids through ,fluid (l'ucs or mains, our more particular aini being: lo provide such a niechanisin adapted. *for use in mains through which the normal flow is not so great as the abnormal flow. For example. in mains Where Water is supplied to a inanuiaeturingl establishincury the normal iow may he sinall coinpared to that which is required during a lire or when an ahnorn'ial usage may he (leinanded. The normal flow iuay he measured by a direc?l reading meier, thai is` one which measures all the water ilowing through the main. livhen an abnormally large quantity of Water is required, however, it is usually impractical io measure the flow with a direct reading' nieter`r owing to ihe cost oi' larfrc roeiers of this type. A proportional meter` that is, one operated by a proportion of the flou' and registering the entire lion', combined with a direct readingr meier to measure small lions.y may, under such conditions` he olf value. The device oiAt our invention also accurately measures the lion' when he nieclianisn'i is changing *from the condition under which the normal flow passes to the condition under which the abnormal flow is to he nissed. lt is necessary to change che condition of lie mecha.- nisni when it is desired-that the abnormal flow should pass.

Anocher object of our invention is the produciion of the device which when being changed from the condition permitting the normal fion' to that permitting the abnormal the tendency oi' the system to persist inits normal condiion is reduced as it approaches the ultiuiac position in which. the greatest Specification o' Letters Eaiezzt.

Fuser-"lied illi?.

serial no. sance?.

abnormal iow occurs. r`ihus we may, as We do in the forni of our invention lillustrated and described in this specilicaion. obstruct the low ihrough the Inain by means "of a valve held in place hy i couple. whose effort to keep -he faire closed is reduced as the 'ali'e opens with the result thai he. farther the vali/e is from closed position, the less eii'ective power will he exeried upon it by the couple. i

Still another ohjec of oni' invention is to reverse hi, condition of 'tii'l'airs 'when the system is being restored io normal by increasing rho eort to; rester, the system to normal. as 'it dcviaes from `the abnormal position and approaches normal. Thus, in the particular forni shown, 'he couple increases as the valve approaches the ciosed posicion.

Sill ano'l'ier object of our invention is he provision means to control the {iow in the main hrougzh 'he pressure in the main. rl`hus We nini lao utilize the pressure or' the iiuid in the main` which is a variable quanity, in ille control oi' our device.

Other ohjeci's of our invention and lie invention itself will he hesf understood by reference to he hillowing description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustraiion, showing one` specific `cinhodimenA of our inveniionwhile the scope Will he more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure l vshows a diagram of a system wih which our invention may he employed.

Fig'. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus to which our invention is appliedA Fig. is a plan View ci apparaius shown in Fig. 2. Fig. L is a cross seciion taken through the line 43H4 of Fig. 5 is a section taken through the line 3L- of Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are details of the apparatus shown in the other figures.

Referring; non' to the drawings and to the form o our invention shown therein. We show a source of luid pressure, such as a reservoir at 8. A. second source of pressure, which may he n source or" negative pressure is shown at 9. rhis may he a lire plug. such as is shown aiy l0 or a suppl)v pipe, such as is shown ai; 11. These two sources of pressure are connected hr a fluid duct ormain.

12, which passesthrough a. box 13, in which a fluid controlling device is housed. The duct or main 12 is continued at 14 to the source 9. The box'13 is provided with an '5 entrance` 15 into which the main 12 enters 15`other means for. measuring the abnormal .c flow during conditions.

n In the form of our invention shown, the

path of the water is obstructed, preferably 20,by a valve, such as is shown at 20. This valve may be mounted in the chamber 21 inside the box at the mouth of the exit 15.

This valve is mounted to reciprocate inside the chamber, being pivotally connected by a 25 link 22 and a pivot joint23 to a lever 24, which is itself pivoted inside the chamber. The valve 2O controls a pair of fluid controlling devices `such as valves 27 and 28 pretu era-bly rotary valves, one of which is opened 30 when the other is closed and each of which is being opened when the other is being closed. A duct 29passes through the chamber 21 and the walls thereof at 30-30. A.

hollow sleeve 31 fastened to the lever 24 is the extraordinary or abnormal mounted over this dupt and rotates with said lever. -The interior of the duct 29 is divided by a partition 32. On one side of this partition the walls of the duct are pierced with an opening or a plurality of openings 33 4o and on the other side a plurality of openings 34. The sleeve 31 is likewise pierced with openings 35 on one side of the partition and 36 upon the other. This structure, including. the duct, the sleeve, and the opening therein, is known as a Corliss type valve,

and is preferred by us, though wc do not wish to be limited thereto. The two sets of openings are so arranged that they correspond, the set being entirely open when the valve 2O is closed and the iiow is normal and `the set 34-36 being entirely open when the valve is entirely open. The main 15 is tapped by a duct 40 at an orifice 41 above the position of the valve 20. The fluid flowing therefrom under normal conditions passes to a direct reading meter 42 through a duct 43 into the duct 29 and through the openings 33 and 35 on to the second source ot' pressure, it being prevented vfrom passing back by the partition 32.

This flow is measured and if desired, rc jistered bv the meter 42. The other end 4G of the lever 24 is pivotcd to an arm 47 which is connected. to `a pressure device, such as the piston 48 working in a piston box 49,

surc member 48 assuming the pressure on both sides of the member 48 to be constant at any one time is exerted through a couple which consists of the force or pressure against the member 48 and a lever arm equal to the distance between the line of that pressure and the center of the axis of rotation.

.1t will also be seen that as the valve opens,

this couple decreases in effective power, owing to the fact that the point of connection between the member 4.8 and the lever arm 24 is drawn horizontally in toward the axis. As the valve closes, this couple increases, as then the point oi' connection between 47 and 24 is being moved horizontallyI away from the axis. A proportional reading meter is shown at G0 connected at one side to the main through the duct 40 and at the other side through a duct (il to the duct 29 and the valve 34-36, and thence to the chamber 21. As explained, the valve 34-36 will be normally closed.

Should the source of lpressure at 9 become disproportionally less than at 12, that is, should there be a demand for a supply of water greater than normal at this point so as to create a pressurebelow normal in the main 14 and 'the chamber 21, the pressure` upon 48 will be reduced, which will ermit the valve 20 to begin to open, said va ve being held in position by the pressure member 4S through the couple which has been explained. As the valve '20 begins to open, the controller begins toclose and the controller 34-36 to open. The amount of opening of the. latter is proportional to the distance the valve is from its seat, so that the,water which flows through the proportional meter yand the duct 61 out through the controller 234-35, will be exactly proportional to that which Hows through the main valve 20. The meter 42 will register all the water which flows through' the fluid corrl imanes and the movement oi the point 100 horizontally in toward 'the axis of the arm 24, thus partially or entirely compensating for the increase, due to the increase of pressure against the member 48. As a matter ot fact in actual practice, this change in leverage will not entirelycompensate for this increase, but as the iuid flows into the chamber 9.1, the pressure therein will be increased and the force acting on the device 48 and valve thereby increased, thus checking the opening of the valve :20 and maintaining it in its new position corresponding to the quantity of Water flowing in the main and the pressure therein on the two sides of the main valve. As the quantity of ywater pass ing continues to increase, this motion will continue until the valve 20 is opened to its full extent shown in dotted line position in No prefer to arrange the parts so that the one will exactly compensate Afor the other and the couple exerted upon the valve will be constant throughout its movement, but our invention is not limited to such an ar-` rangement. T his will continue until the valve. 2O is opened to its vfullest extent, shown in the dotted line position inl Fige. When completely open the controller 3335 will be entirely closed and the entire flow will be measured by the proportional meter.

When the abnormal demand for Water at 10 or ll ceases .the pressure backs up in the main 14:; the pressure upon the bach of the valve 20, tendini; to close it, and that exert ed upon the member' /l-S, would be the same per unit of area. Owing, hovsever, to the shortness of the lever arm of the couple ol which the pressure against theI member 4S forms an element, the eilect exerted by this couple iv'll be at a minimum, so that the valve will start from the dotted line position gradually and will be closed, setting; itself firmly in its position and closingI the conduit through the proportional meter and opening' that through the direct reading' meter in a ivay reverso tothat described, the system being thus restored to normal.

lVhile we have, shown and described a system employing couples with varying- 4lever arms. ivo mav employ devices in which the lever arms do not vary, since the distance oi the valve from its dosed position is a function of thc"pressure difl'ercnces, and the absolute pressure in .the main and proportional to the differences of the fluid pressures-und the absolute pressure in the main. We however, prefer to use the varying lever arms. and have illustrated a device employing such. tor the purpose. of hetter illustratingour invention.

lt will be understood that ivo. may use .my suitable means for producing' the coup :s employed in our invention and that any form of valve or conduit controllers may be employed provided, of course., that these elements are within the' scope of the allowed claims. .it will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous and extensivo departures from the forms and details here shown may be made Without departing from the spirit of this invention, the same being shown solely for the purpose oi' clearly illustrating one specific embodiment thereof.

Vire claim: y

1. lin a device of the class described, the combination of av fluid main. valve in said main adapted to be operated by the iluid in said main, and means to control the operation of said valve, the'distance of said valve from its closed position being a function of the pressure dili'erences and the absolute pressure in the main.

2. in a device of the class described, theI combination ot' a `fluid main, a valve in said main adapted to be operated by the fluid in said main, and a pressure controlled device controlling` the operation o the valve, the listauce ot' said valve from its closed position beineq a function of the pressure difference and the absolute pressure in the main.

3., in a device of the class described, the combination of a uid main, valve in said main adapted to be operated by the iiuid in the main, said valve being adapted to be subjected to the pressure of different values on the two sides thereof, a device on one Side of said valve operated by the pressure or the fluid on that side of the valve, an arzn connectingsai'd device to said val fe, said arm and the pressure on said device exerting a moment and means to vary said moment as the valve moves from and toward its closed position.

fr. ln a device of the class described, the coi'nbination oi a fluid main. 'a valve in said main adapted to be operated b v the fluid in the main` said valve beinir adapted to be subjected to pressure or different values on the two Sides thereof, a piston on one side of said valve adapted to be controlled by the iu'essure oi thev fluid ou that side of the valve, and a pivotedlever connecting said pistou and said valve, the distance between the vulve and the piston being proportional to the distance of the valve from its closed position.

lu a device oi the class described, the combination of i fluid main, a valve in said main adapted to operated iov the liuidin they main, said valve beine; adapted to be subjected to pressures of different values on the tivo Sides thereof. a piston chaml'ier associated with said main on one side of said valve, a pistou in said chamber controlled bv the pressure of duid in said main and adapted to move substantially at right angles to the main. and a pivoted lever arm comiectinp,- said piston and said valve, the

through the shunt is proportional to the fluid flowing through the valve, said first named valve being` operated by the fluid inv the main and means controlling the operation of said valve, the distance of said valve from its closed position being a function of the pressure differences and the absolute pressure in the main.

7. In a device for the proportional measurement of'fluid flow, a fluid main, a main valve therein controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve being operated b y the fluid in the main, a path being provided for the fluid around said valve, means controlling said pathgoverned by said main valve, adapted to permit a fluid flow-therethrough proportional to the flovv through the niain valve and means for measuring the fluid flowing through the path.

8. In a device of' the class described, the combination of a. fluid main, a valve controlling the flow of vfluid therein, a path being `provided for fluid flow around said valve, a valve of the Corliss type in said path controlled by said'inain valve whereby the flow of fluid through the path is proportional to the flow through the main and a source of pressure on each side of said main valve.

9. In a device of the class described, the winbiuation of a fluid main, a valve therein controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, a source of pressure on each side of said valve connected to said main, said valve-being operated b v the pressures from said sources,

' means for changing the influence of one of said sources of pressure on said valve as said valve approaches or recedes from its closed position. a path for vfluid around sai-l valve controlled by said valve, means governed by said valve for controlling said path the floiv through said path being ,proportional Ito the How through the valve and means` to measure the flow through the path.

l0. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid main, a valve in said main adapted to bc operated by the fluid in the main, said valve adapted to be subjected to pressure of different values on the two sides thereof, a device beyond the valve subject to the changes in pressure in the fluid in that part of the main, an arm connecting said deviceto said valve. said arm-and the pressure on said devicey forming a moment,

and means to vary said moment as the valve moves from and toward its closed position.

1l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid main having an orifice therein and associated with a source of fluid pressure, a main valve governed by the pressure in said main and controlling said Orifice, a 'path being provided around said orifice open when said valve is closed, a meter for measuring the tl iid flowing through said path, said path being controlled by said main valve and being closed thereby when said main valve is fully opened.

l2. In combination, a fluid main having an orifice therein, sourcesu of pressure associated therewith, a main valve in said main between the sources of pressure and control.- ling said orifice, a plurality of paths boingr provided varound said orifice, meters in said paths and means controlled by said niain valve governing the fiovv through said paths, the Atow of fluid through said paths being under the sole control of the main valve.

18. In combination, a fluid inain having an orifice therein, sources of pressure associated therewith, a niain valve in said main between the sources of pressure and controlling said orifice, a plurality 'of paths being provided around said orifice, meters in said paths and valves controlled by said nlainvalve governing the flow of fluid through said paths.

dal.. In combination, a fluid main having an orifice therein, sources of pressure associated avith said main, a inain valve in said niain between the sources of pressure and controlling said orifice, a plurality of paths being providetfl around said orifice, meters in said paths and means controlled by said main valve governing the flow through said paths, one of said paths being opened by said valve as another is closed.

l5. In combination, a fluid main, sources of pressure associated therewith, a main valve in said main bet-Ween said 'sources of pressure normally closed, a path being provided for fluid around said valve adapted to conduct the normal flow through said main, a `meter for measuring thel fluid flowing through said path, said main valve controlling said path to close the same as the main valveopens, a second path being provided around said valve normally closed, said second path being controlled by said main valve and opened thereby in proportion as the `main valve opens and a meter for measuring the proportional flow through said second path.

16. In combination, a fluid main, sources of fluid pressure associated with said main,

a main valve in said fluid main between two sources ofpressure, said valve being normally closed, a path being provided around said valve for conducting the normal flow through said main, ameter in said path for measuring the dow therethrough, a valve governing the said path contended bysaid main val.fe,'said valve being closed by said main valve as'fsaid mainvalve opens, a seeond path being provided around said valve .normally closed, a second 'valve in said second path governing the flow therethrough controlled by saidniain valve and opened as said main valve is opened, the iiovv of lluid through said second path being proportional to the flow through the main valve and a proportional meter `for measuring the flow through the second path.

17. ln combination, a iiuid main, sources of fluid pressure associated with said main, a main valve in said fluid main between two sources of pressure, said valve being no'rmally closed, a path being provided around said valve for conducting the normal flow through said main, a meter in said path Jfor measuring' the flow of huid therethrough, a valve governing said path controlled by said main valve, said valve being closed by said main valve as said .main valve opens, a second path being provided around said valve normally closed, a second valve in said second path governing the .dow therethrough controlled by said main valve and opened as said main valve is opened, the flow of fluid through said second path being proportional to the fic/W through the main valve, said main valve being operated by the pressure in said main.

18, ln combination, a fluid main, sources of fluid pressure associated with said main,

a main valve in said fluid main bet-Ween two sources of pressure, said valve.be1ng normally closed, a path being provided around said valve for conducting the normal flow' through said main, a meter in said path for measuring the flow of lluid therethrough, a valve governing said path controlled by said main valve, said valve beingl closed by said main valve said main valve opens, a second path around said valve normally closed, a second valve in said second path being pro vided governing the ovv therethrough controlled by said main valve and opened as said main valve is opened, the ilovv of fluid through said second path being proportional to the flow through the main valve, a proportional meter for measuring the iovv through the second path, and pressure controlled means in said main adapted to govern the movements of the main valve, the

influence exerted on said main valve by said valve, a proportional meter Jfor measuring y the flow through the second path, and a piston in said main adapted to be operated by the pressure thereon, a lever connecting said piston to said main valve, said main valve being controlled by said piston, the influence exerted upon said main valve by said pist/on being proportional to the distance of the main valve from its closed posiu tion.

2d ln combination, e fluid main, a valve controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, said Avalve being subjected to pressures of different values on its tivo sides, a. two sided device beyond said valve on one of its sides to the pressure oi" the iuid in the main belen the valve and to constant pressure on the other side, and means to connect said device to said valve.

2l. ln combination, a fluid main, a valve lcentrolling the lioiv oi? uid therethrough, said valve being subjected to pressures of different velues en its two sides, a piston chamber, a piston in said chamber exposed on one aside to the fluid pressure belenr said valve, and to constant pressure on the other side, and means to connect said gisten to said valve.

22. ln a devic el the class described, the combination of a fluid main, a mein valve through, seid main valve vbeing operated by the fluid in the main, a bypass provided for the ilovv of 'duid around 'aid main valve, a rotary valve controlling said bypass gow erned by said mein valve, the iiovv throuefl'i said lay-ness being under the sole control oi the main valve and being proper tional to the llov! through the main valve and means for measuring; the iuid flow ovving through the bypass.

ln a device o? the class described, the combination of a fluid main having an orifice therein, a main valve eontrollingseid orihce, a path being provided for lluid around said oriliee and a Corliss valve in said path controlled by seid main valve,

24. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a 'iuid main in which there is Huid under pressure, a main valve controllin the 'lou' of duid in said main, means creating' a 1:oy-pass around said main valve apparatus controlling' the ilow ci' duid 'through said governed bythe main iio valve anda two-sided device, and means whereby it is exposed on one side to a constant pressure and on the other side to a pressure in the main, pressing said main *alve toivard a closed position.

Q5. In a. device ofthe class described, the combination of a fluid main, a main valve in said main, means for conducting fluid through said niain when said main valve -is closed, and a rota-ry valve controlling said meanssaid rotary valve being governed by the main valve.

26. In a device of the class described, the combination ot' a fluid main, a main valve in Said main, a plurality of means for conducting fluid around said main valve, meters in said means, and Corliss valve means vcontrolling said first named means, said ICorliss valve means being governed by said main valve.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid main. means controlling the flow of' fluid through said main consisting of a main valve and a Corliss valve controlled by the main valve.

28. In a device ol the class described, the

combination of a fluid main, means control-4 ling the flow ot fluid through said main consisting of a main valve and a Corliss valve controlled b v the main valve, and means for nfieasuring' the flow of fluid through said main.

Q9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid main, a main valve in said main, a norm-.illy open path being providedaround said main valge, a direct reading meter in said path, a second and normally closed pathbeing provided around said valvea proportional meter in said second path, and a Corliss valve controlling said by-path and governed by said main valve.

30. In combination a fluid main, a valve controlling the floiv through said main, ay y two-sided device" exposed on one of its sides to the pressure of the fluid in said main and to a constant pressure on the other side, and means to connect said device to said valve.

3l. In4 combination, a fluid main, a valve for said main, a piston chamber, a piston in said chamber, said piston being exposed on .one of its sides to the fluid pressure, and on the other side to atmospheric pressure, and

means to connect said piston'to said valve.

32. In a device of the4 class ldescribed, the combination of a fluid main and a ley-pass of said main, each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, means exercising exclusive control'of the 'flow through the by-pass, and apparatus operated b v the floiv in the main independently of the loiv in the loy-pass ,f igoverning` said means to maintain the flows proportional.

In adevice of the class described, the combination of a fluid main,-a main valve,

means subjected to variations in pressure in said main, influencing the operation of said main valve, a path being provided around vsaid main valve, and a (oi'liss valve in said path controlled by said main valve.

34. In a hydraulic device of the class dcscribed, the combination of a ivater main, a`

In combination, a fluid main, a Valve in said main, a piston chamber, a piston in said chamber exposed on one side to a variable pressure and on the other to a. constant pressure, and means to connect said piston to said valve.

3G. In combination, a fluid main, a valve in said main, a chamber, a movable member in said chamber subjected to a'constant pres'- sure on one side and to the pressure olr the fluid in the main on the other, means to connect said movable member to said valve, and meters for indicating the quantity olf flow of fluid through said main.

37. In combination, a fluid main, a valve in said main, a piston chamber, a piston therein exposed on one side to the pressure of the fluid in said main, and on the other side to atmospheric pressure, means to connect said piston to said main valve, a plurality of paths being provided around said main valve, meters in said paths, and valve means governed by said main valve for controlling said paths.

38. In alfdevice of the class described, the combination of a fluid main, a main valve in said main, the/,opening and closing of said main valve being effected by the pressure of fluid in said main, means governing the movement of said main valve, said means being controlled by the pressure in said main, a path being provided around said valve, a meter in said path, and a valve insaid path and means whereby it is controlled solely by said main valve.

39. In a device of the class described, the combination of a Huid main, a valve in said main adapted to be operated by the fluid in said main, and means to control tue operation of said valve, the distance of said valve from its closed position being a function of the pressure difference and the absolute pressure in the main. d

40. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid main, a bypass around asection ot' said main through which fluid may flow. a valve exercising exclusive control ot' the flow through the by-pass, and a main valve in said section ope ate`d independently of the lovv in the by-pass and means whereby the valve in the by-pass is controlled by said main valve, to maintain the flows proportional.

4l. In a device of the character described, the combination of a fluid main, a by-pass around a section of said main through which iuid may flow, apparatus controlled by the flow through the by-pass, a valve exercising exclusive control of the ow through the bypass, and a main valve in said section operated by ,the main flow independently of the flow in the by-pass, and means whereby said main valve controls said first named valve, to maintain the flows proportional.

42. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid main and means to cause a flow of fluid therein, a device controlling the flow of fluid through the main, means including said device to create from the flow in the main a How of fluid functional to the How in said main, a duct for the functional f lovv having an orifice therein, the functional flow being under the sole control of said device, means to control said L orifice and apparatus actuated by the functional floW.

43. In a device of the class described, the combination of al uid. main,l a by-pth plO- vided communicating with said main, a

f l' main valve in said main controlling the flow ol' fluid therethrough, a meter in said bypatli, a second by-path communicating with nesses, this 6th day of July said main, a proportional meter in said ysecond by-path and means controlled by said main valve governing the flow through one of said paths.

44. YIn combination, a fluid main havnig Aan orifice therein, a main valve controlling manrvalve, means controlled by the main valve for opening one ofjt'ne said by-passes when the main valve 'is closed and for closing said ley-pass when the main valve is opened and apparatus governed by the main valve, regulating the flovfff-through a second by-pass to be proportional to the flow through the main.

`In testimony whereof, we hereunto ailix our signatures in the presence of two Wit- 1911. GEORGE sooELL EARL. ALBERT BALDWN WOOD.

lvitnesses E. G. CARROLL, JOHN C. BARTLEY. 

